Short Courses & Events / Archive

Singing Hot And Cool: The Polyvagal Theory And Vocal Pedagogy

Thursday 17th June 2021, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)

The vagus nerve is closely involved with both the larynx and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The polyvagal theory details the remarkable role of this nerve bundle in the evolution of voice and speech communication, and affirms the power of the voice as an instantaneous transmitter of ANS status, both in daily life communication and between artist and audience. Finally, parallels emerge between the vagus nerve’s contributions to psycho-physiological resilience (the ability to be aroused and calm at the same time) and artists’ descriptions of stage presence. Crosslinks between neurological evidence and the experience of performing arts will support suggestions for vocal pedagogy.

 

REVIEW OF TERMINOLOGY

  • Structures of interest: cranial nerve X (vagus) and its brainstem nucleii
  • Functions of interest: autonomic versus sensory-motor
  • Autonomic (ANS) components: sympathetic (“hot”) and parasympathetic (“cool”)

THE POLYVAGAL THEORY OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION

  • Characteristics of the vagus nerve in animals and humans
  • How “hot and cool” ANS regulation makes speech and singing possible

THE POLYVAGAL VOICE

  • Muscle controls in the vagus nerve: larynx and more
  • Voice as a carrier of ANS signals, in daily life and performance

THE POLYVAGAL THEORY ONSTAGE

  • How performers describe the inner state onstage
  • Is “very hot and very cool” the ANS recipe for stage presence?

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ARTS TEACHERS

  • ANS regulation as a pedagogical goal
  • The importance of training ensembles
  • Suggestions for warm-ups, cool-downs, and performance anxiety
  • The well-regulated teacher

Joanna Cazden

Joanna Cazden, MFA, MS-CCC is a speech pathologist specializing in vocal arts rehabilitation, now in private practice after 18 years as senior voice clinician...

Sorry, this is an archived short course...

We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.

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Thursday 30th October 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Creative Articulation

Annie Morrison

Most of us have little idea of HOW we speak, or what to do to make speech more muscular. Join Annie Morrison (creator of the 'Morrison Bone Prop') for this two hour session on Creative Articulation, a holistic and haptic approach to the touchings and feelings of the articulators in the dance of speech. Seeing articulation as a purely mechanical skill is detrimental to an actor's process: it is crucial to understand what language is doing on a biological level.

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Tuesday 4th November 2025
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
(London Time)

The Belt Voice in R&B/Soul Singing: Vocal Characteristics & Physiology

Dr Matt Allen

The belt’s got soul! This course offers a deep dive into the vocal artistry and biomechanics of R&B/soul singing, with a particular focus on the belt voice—a powerful and expressive vocal technique central to the genre. Drawing from over 80 years of stylistic evolution, the course explores how R&B/soul singing has shaped contemporary commercial music and investigates the unique vocal traits that define its sound.

The Science of Sound: Optimizing Vocal Acoustics for Contemporary Styles!
Tuesday 4th November 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)

The Science of Sound: Optimizing Vocal Acoustics for Contemporary Styles!

Dr Ana Flavia Zuim

This course explores the scientific principles underpinning vocal production, acoustics, and the care of the singing voice, drawing from both foundational texts and contemporary research. Students will engage deeply with concepts from Titze’s Principles of Voice Production and Bozeman’s Practical Vocal Acoustics, including the nature of sound, pressure waveforms, harmonics, formants, and the spectral envelope. Emphasis is placed on understanding both linear and non-linear source-filter models, highlighting how the glottis produces sound and how the vocal tract selectively reinforces harmonics to enhance vocal power, timbre, and efficiency.